Project
Continued from Page 23
harm to them,” Sarwer said. “This was
the first time these kids were being
looked at in a non-clinical way. We also
she noted. She admitted hav-
wanted to make sure that we had artists
ing a child sit still for long periods of time
that captured the spirit of the project.

is a challenge, but Avery was a good sport
We’re selective in identifying families.”
and the two of them bonded.

“Many of the families who have par-
Avery’s parents, Robert and Molly,
ticipated, have found it to be an incredibly
were helpful and gave Frey information
important experience, not only for the
abort Crouzon syndrome, so it was eas-
children, but also the family,” he added.

ier for her to understand what Avery
Sarwer, who only sees the children
was going through.

once a year, remarked how the kids un-
“She was a delightful child,” Frey
dergo countless procedures and are of-
said. “First of all, whenever anyone sits
ten looked at in a negative light.

for a portrait, they always come away
“Just because someone looks differ-
saying that it was much more enjoyable
ent on the outside, doesn’t mean they
that they thought it would be.”
are a fundamentally different person on
In addition to Avery, she also painted
The paintings seen on these pages are a small
the inside,” Sarwer said.

a young girl named Gracie. She feels the
sampling from the Craniofacial Program Portrait
Each of the artists underwent exten-
program impacted them both and still
Project at CHOP.

sive screening before being selected to
keeps in touch with both families.

participate in the program. They include Alisyn Blake, Joseph
“It gives them a feeling of pride in themselves that they haven’t
Dolderer, Stephen Early, Robin Dawn Frey, Kerry Dunn, Debbie
had before,” she said.

Schafer and Leona Shanks.

Since it started, 12 children between the ages of 7 and 25 have been
Frey, a Studio Incamminati graduate and instructor, painted
paired with artists. The portraits, which took six months to a year to
Avery Lytle, 15.

finish, were completed over multiple sittings, which enabled each pa-
“I thought it was a fabulous idea from the start,” Frey exclaimed.

tient, artist and the patients’ family to develop a unique relationship.

“That’s the kind of thing I like doing, helping others.”
Patients were able to choose clothes that expressed themselves and to
While she has been painting since she was a child, this was different,
pick out the pose that felt most comfortable to them. Each participant
Name: The Logan Hotel
Width: 7.5"
Depth: 4.75"
Color: Black
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24 MARCH 31, 2016
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